Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough has been hospitalized

A spokesperson for the clerk said she is hospitalized with a serious medical condition and is undergoing medical treatment.

By Kristen Schorsch
Karen Yarbrough
Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough officiates a wedding ceremony for a couple who won the lottery to receive Cook County’s first marriage license of 2023 at her Loop office, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Yarbrough said the clerk had been hospitalized with a serious medical condition. Ashlee Rezin / Chicago Sun-Times
Karen Yarbrough
Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough officiates a wedding ceremony for a couple who won the lottery to receive Cook County’s first marriage license of 2023 at her Loop office, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Yarbrough said the clerk had been hospitalized with a serious medical condition. Ashlee Rezin / Chicago Sun-Times

Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough has been hospitalized

A spokesperson for the clerk said she is hospitalized with a serious medical condition and is undergoing medical treatment.

By Kristen Schorsch
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Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough has been hospitalized with a serious medical condition, her spokeswoman said.

In a statement, spokeswoman Sally Daly said Yarbrough is “undergoing medical treatment.” She said the clerk’s family requested privacy. Daly would not provide further details.

Chief Deputy Clerk Cedric Giles is taking over Yarbrough’s duties temporarily.

As clerk, Yarbrough oversees suburban elections. Her office also houses vital records going back more than 100 years, including birth, death and marriage certificates, as well as land deeds.

A political veteran, Yarbrough is the former Cook County recorder of deeds. That office merged with the county clerk’s office. She is a former Illinois state representative and assistant majority leader in the state House of Representatives.

Kristen Schorsch covers public health and Cook County for WBEZ.